Occupational and Environmental Disease

Excerpt

To the editor: The American Lung Association's report (1) on taking the occupational history is a useful reminder of the importance of occupational and environmental illness to the practicing internist. A few additional points may be worth the attention of internists as they incorporate the occupational history into practice, particularly in group practice or in house officer training settings.

Exposures identified in the history belong in the active problem list in the same way that drug allergies do. Problem lists will remind physicians of the need for intervention or screening, such as providing additional emphasis on smoking cessation or annual